Tool and appliance for collecting slight amount of humor

ABSTRACT

An appliance for collecting a slight amount of a humor includes a sheath, a humor collection member being slidably inserted into the sheath and having a humor collection part that is formed at a front end thereof and can be cut, and a cylindrical member accommodates a cut piece of the humor collection part which has collected a humor, and a humor collection container installed on the cylindrical member and collecting the humor discharged from the cut piece of the humor collection part by a centrifugal operation with the humor collection container installed on the cylindrical member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool and an appliance forcollecting a slight amount of a humor sample to be used in a clinicaltrial. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tool and anappliance capable of easily and quantitatively collecting a secretoryliquid humor sample such as fluid in a uterine cavity, fluid in anoviduct cavity, fluid in a vagina, a cervical mucus, and the like.

[0002] Each of the oviduct, the uterus, the uterine cervical canal, andthe vagina secretes various growth factors, hormones (Epidermal GrowthFactor [EGF], Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 & 2 [IGF 1 & 2], VascularEndothelial Growth Factor [VEGF], Prolactin [PRL], and the like), andunknown regulatory factors from its epithelium and inner membrane. Owingto the secretion of the regulatory factors, the survival, function, andgrowth of an ovum, a spermatozoon, a fertilized ovum, an embryo, and aplacenta are controlled to allow normal progress of fertilization,embryonic development, implantation, and fetal growth.

[0003] The present inventor has found that it is possible to evaluatethe oviduct, the uterus, the uterine cervical canal, and the vagina interms of their abilities of performing the fertilization, the embryonicdevelopment, the implantation, and the fetal growth by collecting aslight amount of liquid from the oviduct, the uterus, the uterinecervical canal, and the vagina with the tool and the appliance of thepresent invention and measuring the concentration of the growth factors,the hormones, and the regulatory factors in the collected humor(fluid).Thereby, the present inventor thinks that the tool and the appliance ofthe present invention contribute greatly to diagnosis and treatment ofvarious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology such as sterility,habitual abortion, miscarriage, malfunction of the placenta, gestosis,intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus, intrauterine fetal death,abruptio placentae, and the like.

[0004] A malignant tumor such as cancer produces and secretesangiogenetic factors such as VEGF and has a host to produce a nutrientblood vessels necessary for growth and metastasis thereof. Manymalignant tumors produce and secrete various proteins and hormones (Ca125, Ca 19-9, Carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], α-fetoprotein, SLX, SCC,LDH, estradiol, and the like). Therefore, for early diagnosis of cancerin the lumen (cancer of uterus, oviduct, uterine cervical canal, vagina,cavitas nasi, paranasal sinuses, and the like) and their malignancy(metastatic ability), it is useful to collect a slight amount of thefluid (humor) from the lumen (uterus, oviduct, uterine cervical canal,vagina, cavitas nasi, paranasal sinuses, and the like) with the tool andthe appliance of the present invention and to measure quantitativelytumor-producing substances contained in the fluid.

[0005] A tool for collecting a slight amount of a humor is disclosed inregistered Japanese Utility Model No. 2597948.

[0006] The collection tool has a collection bar and an outer cylinder.The collection bar has the collection member that is disposed at itsdistal end and that is formed of a flexible liquid-absorbing materialfor collecting a humor sample. The outer cylinder has a smaller innerdiameter than the outer diameter of the humor collection member and isshorter than the collection bar in its whole length and can accommodatethe humor collection member.

[0007] However, there is a variation in the amount of a humor to becollected by the humor collection member. Further, it is difficult totake out a small amount of the humor from the humor collection member inexamining it, because the humor permeates into the entirety of the bigone-piece humor collection member.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool and anappliance capable of reliably taking out a humor from a humor collectionmember, even though the amount of the collected humor is small.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The object of this invention is to provide a tool for collectinga slight amount of a humor that comprises a sheath, and a humorcollection member slidably inserted into said sheath, and wherein saidhumor collection member has a humor collection part capable ofprojecting from a front end of said sheath, and said humor collectionpart can be cut and has a permeation prevention portion which prevents ahumor absorbed by said humor collection part from permeating into anentirety of said humor collection part.

[0010] Further, the object of this invention is to provide a tool forcollecting a slight amount of a humor that comprises, a sheath, and ahumor collection member slidably inserted into said sheath, and whereinsaid humor collection member has a humor collection part capable ofprojecting from a front end of said sheath; and said humor collectionpart can be cut and has a plurality of separated humor collectionportions.

[0011] Further, the object of this invention is to provide an appliancefor collecting a slight amount of a humor that comprises a sheath, ahumor collection member being slidably inserted into said sheath andhaving a humor collection part which is formed at a front portionthereof and can be cut and projected from a front end of said sheath, acylindrical member accommodating a cut piece of said humor collectionpart which has collected a humor; and a humor collection containerinstalled on said cylindrical member and collecting said humordischarged from said cut piece of said humor collection part by acentrifugal operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 shows an outlook of an embodiment of a tool for collectinga slight amount of a humor of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows an outlook of constituent members (sheath and humorcollection member) of the tool shown in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is enlarged sectional view showing a front portion of thetool shown in FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 4 shows an outlook of a humor collection member to be used inanother embodiment of the tool of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 5 shows an outlook of a humor collection member to be used inanother embodiment of the tool of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 6 shows an outlook of a humor collection member to be used inanother embodiment of the tool of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 7 shows an outlook of a state in which a cylindrical memberis inserted into a container for centrifugal operation to be used for ofan appliance of embodiment of the present invention for collecting aslight amount of a humor.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the cylindrical member shown in FIG.7.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another cylindrical member isinserted into a container for centrifugal operation to be used for of anappliance, of another embodiment of the present invention, forcollecting a slight amount of a humor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the tool and the appliance, of thepresent invention, for collecting a slight amount of a humor will bedescribed in detail below with reference to the accompanied drawings.The tool and the appliance will be hereinafter referred to as merely thetool and the appliance, respectively.

[0022] An appliance of the present invention has a sheath 2; a humorcollection member 3 being slidably inserted into the sheath 2 and havinga humor collection part 6 which is formed at a front end thereof and canbe cut; a cylindrical member 4 accommodating a cut piece of the humorcollection part 6 which has collected a humor; and a humor collectioncontainer 5 installed on the cylindrical member 4 and collecting thehumor discharged from the cut piece of the humor collection part 6 by acentrifugal operation.

[0023] The tool 10 of the present invention includes the sheath 2 andthe humor collection member 3 which is slidably inserted into the sheath2. The humor collection member 3 has the humor collection part 6 capableof projecting from a front end of the sheath 2. The humor collectionpart 6 can be cut and has a permeation prevention portion 17 whichprevents the humor absorbed by the humor collection part 6 frompermeating into the entirety of the humor collection part 6.

[0024] The tool 10 includes the sheath 2 and the humor collection member3 slidably inserted into the sheath 2. The humor collection member 3 hasthe humor collection part 6 capable of projecting from the front end ofthe sheath 2. The humor collection part 6 can be cut and has a pluralityof separated portions.

[0025] The tool 10 will be described more specifically below.

[0026] The tool 10 has the sheath 2 and the humor collection member 3.

[0027] The sheath 2 functions as a guide tube for guiding the humorcollection member 3 into the human body. The sheath 2 is a tube openfrom its front end to its rear end. In the embodiment, the front portionof the sheath 2 is curved to facilitate the insertion of the tool 10into a desired portion of the human body. The diameter of the rearportion of the sheath 2 is larger than that of its front portion tofacilitate the insertion of the humor collection member 3 into thesheath 2. In other words, the sheath 2 has a tapered rear end portion.The shape of the sheath 2 is not limited to the above-described one, butmay be straight.

[0028] A material which can retain its shape in a certain extent ispreferable for forming the sheath 2. Thus, flexible materials orsemirigid materials are preferable. Thus, the following materials arepreferable for forming the sheath 2: polyolefin (for example,polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer,ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, mixture of polypropylene andpolyethylene or polybutene), polyester (polyethylene terephthalate,polybutylene terephthalate), polyamide, vinyl chloride resin (forexample, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer,vinyl chloride-ethylene copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloridecopolymer).

[0029] The length of the sheath 2 is different according to a portion ofthe human body into which it is inserted. For example, in the case wherethe sheath 2 is inserted into a uterine cavity, its length is favorably100-300 mm and more favorably 120-250 mm. In the case where the sheath 2is inserted into an oviduct, its length is favorably 250-450 mm and morefavorably 300-400 mm. The outer diameter of the sheath 2 is differentaccording to a portion of the human body into which the sheath 2 isinserted, but is favorably 1-4 mm and more favorably 2.0-3.5 mm.

[0030] It is preferable that the front-end surface of the sheath 2 ischamfered, namely, rounded. This shape hardly damages the inner surfaceof the human body in inserting the sheath 2 and collecting the humor. Itis possible to provide the outer surface of the sheath 2 with a markerfor checking an insertion depth (length).

[0031] The humor collection member 3 has the humor collection part 6which is formed at its front end portion and can be cut. The humorcollection member 3 has the core 31 and a liquid-absorbing portion 61installed on the outer surface of the front end portion of the core 31.The humor collection part 6 can be cut easily with ordinary cuttingmeans such as scissors, a cutter, and the like. The core 31 has thefront end portion 33 that has flexibility and cut easily.

[0032] The core 31 has a main portion 32 and a front portion 33connected to the front end of the main portion 32. The diameter of thefront portion 33 is set smaller than that of the main portion 32. Theliquid-absorbing portion 61 is mounted on the outer surface of the frontportion 33. The humor collection part 6 has the front portion 33 and theliquid-absorbing portion 61 formed on the outer surface of the frontportion 33. The humor collection part 6 can be cut without separatingthe liquid-absorbing portion 61 and the front portion 33 of the core 31from each other, with the liquid-absorbing portion 61 held on the outersurface of the front portion 33 of the core 31. A one-piecedifferent-diameter linear material or a one-piece different-diametertube having a small-diameter portion at its front side may be used asthe core 31.

[0033] The liquid-absorbing portion 61 contacts a humor samplecollection portion in the interior or exterior of the human body andabsorbs (liquid)/holds the liquid humor sample. The liquid-absorbingportion 61 is formed of a liquid-absorbing material having a certaindegree of flexibility. In the embodiment, the liquid-absorbing portion61 has a shape of a long and narrow belt. More specifically, the core 31is enclosed with the liquid-absorbing portion 61 by sandwiching theouter surface of the core 31 (front portion 33) between two belt-shapedliquid-absorbing portions 61. The liquid-absorbing portion 61 covers apart of or all of the front end portion 33 of the core 31. Thebelt-shaped liquid-absorbing portion 61 is bound at a plurality ofportions with thread. The portion bound with the thread constitutes thepermeation prevention portion 17 for preventing the humor absorbed bythe humor collection part 6 from permeating into the entirety of thehumor collection part 6. In other words, the humor collection part 6 hasa plurality of separated humor collection portions 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6d. It is necessary that the humor collection part 6 has at least twoseparable portions. The humor collection part 6 has favorably 2-10separated portions and more favorably 3-7 separated portions. In theembodiment, the liquid-absorbing portion 61 is bound at five portionsincluding the front and rear ends thereof. Thus, the humor collectionpart 6 has four separable portions. In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the belt-shaped liquid-absorbing portion 61 may be woundspirally on the core 31 and bound at a plurality of portions withthread, as described above to form the permeation prevention portions17. The portion bound with the thread constitutes the permeationprevention portion 17 for preventing the humor absorbed by the humorcollection part 6 from permeating into the entirety of the humorcollection part 6. The permeation prevention portion 17 is notnecessarily formed with the thread. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and6, the permeation prevention portion 17 may be formed with an annularpartitioning portion. In the permeation prevention portion 17 shown inFIG. 5, an annular partitioning portion 71 fixes the liquid-absorbingportion 61 annularly partly to the core 31 with resin or an adhesiveagent so that a fixed portion prevents the permeation of an absorbedliquid into the entirety of the humor collection part 6. The permeationprevention portion 17 is not necessarily formed with the thread. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 6, the permeation prevention portion 17 may beformed with a plurality of partitioning portions each consisting of anannular rib 72 preventing permeation of a liquid into the entirety ofthe humor collection part 6.

[0034] The liquid-absorbing portion 61 is not necessarily belt-shaped.For example, the liquid-absorbing portion 61 may be cylindrical or maybe wound directly on the front portion 33 like a swab. In the humorcollection member 3 shown in FIG. 6, the core 31 has a plurality ofannular partitioning portions. The liquid-absorbing portion 61 isdisposed between adjacent annular partitioning portions.

[0035] The front portion of the humor collection member 3 is curved tofacilitate its insertion into the desired portion of the human body. Afront end 33 a of the core 31 is closed. It is preferable that thefront-end surface of the humor collection member 3 is curved. Morespecifically, the front end of the humor collection part 6 is formed ofthe core 31, and the surface of the front end of the core 31 is rounded.The tip end of the core is closed and rounded. The rounded front-end ofthe core 31 can be shaped by melting the front end thereof. The sidesurface of the front end of the core 31 is also rounded. The roundedside surface of the front end of the core 31 is formed by fixing abead-shaped spherical body 34 penetrating the front end of the core 31to the front end of the core 31. In this embodiment, the core has a beadhaving a smaller diameter than an inner diameter of the sheath and fixedto the front tip end of the core 31.

[0036] It is preferable to form the core (front portion 33 and mainportion 32) 31 of liquid-unabsorbent flexible materials. Thus, thefollowing materials are preferable for forming the core 31: polyolefin(for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer,ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, mixture of polypropylene andpolyethylene or polybutene), olefin elastomer (polyethylene elastomer,polypropylene elastomer), polyester (polyethylene terephthalate,polybutylene terephthalate), polyamide, amide elastomer (polyamideelastomer), soft vinyl chloride, styrene elastomer (for example,styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer,styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene copolymer), polyurethane, urethaneelastomer, silicone rubber, synthetic rubber such as butadiene rubber,and natural rubber such as latex rubber.

[0037] Preferably, the main portion 32 of the core 31 is tubular but maybe solid. Preferably, the front portion 33 is also tubular but may besolid.

[0038] The length of the humor collection member 3 is differentaccording to a desired portion of the human body into which the humorcollection member 3 is inserted, but is longer than the sheath 2 byfavorably 30-200 mm and more favorably by 50-150 mm. More specifically,in the case where the humor collection member 3 is inserted into theuterine cavity, its length is favorably 200-450 mm and more favorably250-400 mm. In the case where the humor collection member 3 is insertedinto the oviduct, its length of is favorably 300-550 mm and morefavorably 350-500 mm. The outer diameter of the humor collection member3 (humor collection part 6 and main portion 32) is different accordingto a portion of the human body into which the humor collection member 3is inserted, but is favorably 1-4 mm and more favorably 1.5-3.0 mm.

[0039] It is preferable that the outer diameter of the humor collectionmember 3 is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the sheath 2to facilitate the operation of the humor collection member 3. Even whenthe humor collection part 6 of the humor collection member 3 absorbs ahumor and swells, it is easy to perform an operation of accommodatingthe humor collection member 3 in the sheath 2. More specifically, theouter diameter of the humor collection member 3 is favorably 1-4 mm andmore favorably 1.5-3.0 mm.

[0040] The length of the humor collection part 6 (length of the frontportion 33) is different according to a desired portion of the humanbody into which the humor collection member 3 is inserted. Morespecifically, in the case where the humor collection member 3 isinserted into the uterine cavity, the length of the humor collectionpart 6 is favorably 50-150 mm and more favorably 75-130 mm. In the casewhere the appliance is inserted into the oviduct or the uterine cavity,the length of the humor collection part 6 is favorably 50-100 mm andmore favorably 30-60 mm. The outer diameter of the front portion 33 isequal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the sheath 2. Morespecifically, the outer diameter of the humor collection member 3 isfavorably 1-4 mm and more favorably 1.5-3.0 mm.

[0041] Fibrous and porous materials can be preferably utilized to formthe liquid-absorbing portion 61. More specifically, as the material forthe liquid-absorbing portion 61, it is possible to use woven cloth,nonwoven cloth, and absorbent cotton consisting of cotton, chemicalfiber or a mixture of the cotton and the chemical fiber; a porouspolymer such as sponge, resinous foam; and paper. The mode of theliquid-absorbing portion 61 is not limited to the above-described modes,but any kind of modes can be used, so long as they do not prevent smoothcutting of the humor collection part 6. For example, theliquid-absorbing portion 61 may be cylindrical, spherical orcocoon-shaped, with the front end of the core 31 placed on the center.

[0042] The appliance of the present invention has the sheath 2; thehumor collection member 3 having the humor collection part 6 which isformed at a front end thereof and can be cut; the cylindrical member 4accommodating a cut piece of the humor collection part 6 which hascollected a humor; and the humor collection container 5 installed on thecylindrical member 4 and collecting the humor discharged from the cutpiece of the humor collection part 6 by a centrifugal operation.

[0043] The above-described materials can be preferably used for thesheath 2 and the humor collection member 3. The humor collection member3 is not limited to the above-described one. Provided that the humorcollection member 3 has the humor collection part 6 which is formed atits front end and can be cut, it is possible to use the humor collectionmember not having the permeation prevention portion 17 for preventingthe humor absorbed by the humor collection part 6 from permeating intothe entirety of the humor collection part 6 or the humor collectionmember 3 in which the humor collection part 6 does not have a pluralityof separable portions.

[0044] The cylindrical member 4 serves as the means for accommodatingthe cut piece of the humor collection part 6 which has collected thehumor.

[0045] The cylindrical member 4 has a small-diameter portion 41 whosefront end is open at its front portion. The cylindrical member 4 has aflange 42 at its rear end. The inner diameter of the front portion ofthe cylindrical member 4, namely, the inner diameter of thesmall-diameter portion 41 is set smaller than the outer diameter of thecut piece of the humor collection part 6. Thereby, the cylindricalmember 4 prevents the movement of the cut piece of the humor collectionpart 6 to the front end of the humor collection container 5. To securelyprevent the movement of the cut piece, it is preferable that the innerdiameter of the front portion of the cylindrical member 4 is smaller theouter diameter of the core 31 of the cut piece. The cylindrical member 4has a humor flowing portion 43 having a smaller diameter than the outerdiameter of the cut piece of the humor collection part 6.

[0046] It is preferable that the length of the cylindrical member 4 is40-150 mm and that its inner diameter is 3-10 mm. It is preferable thatthe length of front portion (small-diameter portion 41) of thecylindrical member 4 is 3-20 mm and that the inner diameter of the frontportion thereof is 0.5-3 mm.

[0047] The humor collection container 5 is installed on the cylindricalmember 4 and serves as the means for collecting the humor dischargedfrom the cut piece of the humor collection part 6 by a centrifugaloperation.

[0048] The humor collection container 5 is cylindrical and open at itsrear end and closed at its front end. The rear portion of the humorcollection container 5 can be installed substantially liquid-tightly onthe front portion of the cylindrical member 4. The front side of thehumor collection container 5 tapers off to its front end. It ispreferable that the humor collection container 5 has a cap 8, forsealing the rear end thereof, which opens after the humor collectioncontainer 5 collects the humor. In the embodiment, the humor collectioncontainer 5 has the cap 8 connected thereto through a connectionportion.

[0049] It is preferable that the length of the humor collectioncontainer 5 is 10-100 mm and that its inner diameter is 2-8 mm.

[0050] The humor collection container 5 may accommodate a serumseparation agent. The serum separation agent has a specific gravityintermediate between that of a serum or that of a blood plasma componentand that of a blood clot or that of a blood cell component. The serumseparation agent has the specific gravity intermediate between thespecific gravity 1.03-1.08 of the serum component at 25° C. and that ofthe blood clot component. Preferably, the serum separation agent isthixotropic and gelled. To form the serum separation agent having suchproperties, silicone oil, chlorinated polybutene, acrylic polymer, acopolymer of sebacic acid and diol, or an α-olefin diester maleatecopolymer is prepared to form a main component. Inorganic powder such assilica or clay and organic gelatinizing agent are added to the maincomponent to hold the specific gravity, viscosity or configuration ofthe resulting serum separation agent. As examples of the serumseparation agent, it is possible to use thixotropic gelled separationagent [“escollect” produced by Sekisui Kagaku Corp., specific gravity:1.05, viscosity: 150,000 cp (25° C.)] obtained by kneadingcyclopentadiene resin, dibenzylidiene sorbitol, silica, and phthalicacid (2-ethylhexyl).

[0051] It is preferable that the appliance has a container 7, forcentrifugal operation, accommodating the cylindrical member 4, with thehumor collection container 5 mounted on the cylindrical member 4. Thecontainer 7 for centrifugal operation facilitates a centrifugalseparation operation and prevents the cylindrical member 4 and the humorcollection container 5 from separating from each other during thecentrifugal separation operation.

[0052] The cylindrical member 4 and the humor collection container 5 donot necessarily have the above-described construction. For example, asshown in FIG. 9, instead of providing the cylindrical member 4 with thesmall-diameter portion, a small-diameter portion is formed at the rearend of the humor collection container 5 to constitute a movementprevention portion for preventing movement of the cut piece of the humorcollection part 6 to the front end of the humor collection container 5.In this case, the humor collection container 5 has a humor flowingportion 51 having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the cutpiece of the humor collection part. In this case, the appliance is notnecessarily provided with the container 7 for centrifugal operation.

[0053] The container 7 for centrifugal operation is cylindrical andcapable of accommodating more than half of the cylindrical member 4,with the humor collection container 5 mounted on the cylindrical member4 in a direction from the front end of the cylindrical member 4 (inother words, in a direction from the humor collection container 5). Thecontainer 7, for centrifugal operation, of the embodiment is cylindricaland open at its rear end and closed at its front end. The container 7for centrifugal operation is long enough to accommodate ½-{fraction(1/1)} (entirety) of the whole length of the cylindrical member 4, withthe humor collection container 5 mounted thereon. Considering that thecylindrical member 4 is taken out from the container 7 for centrifugaloperation, with the humor collection container 5 mounted thereon, it ispreferable that the container 7 for centrifugal operation accommodatesthe cylindrical member 4 in such a way that the rear portion of thecylindrical member 4 is exposed, with the humor collection container 5mounted thereon.

[0054] It is preferable that the length of the container 7 forcentrifugal operation is 40-150 mm and that its inner diameter is 5-20mm. It is preferable to form the cylindrical member 4, the humorcollection container 5, and the container 7, for centrifugal operation,of a transparent material or a semitransparent material. The followingresins can be used to form the cylindrical member 4, the humorcollection container 5, and the container 7 for centrifugal operation:polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate,polyvinyl chloride, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), acrylic resin,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and polyester such aspolyethylene terephthalate. Polypropylene is most favorable of theseresins because polypropylene is easy to form and has heat resistance.

[0055] The method of using the tool and the appliance of the presentinvention will be described below.

[0056] Initially, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheath 2 is inserted into adesired humor collection portion inside the human body, with the sheath2 accommodating the humor collection part 6 of the humor collectionmember 3. Thereafter, the humor collection member 3 is pressed to exposethe humor collection part 6 from the front end of the sheath 2. In thisstate, the humor collection part 6 absorbs the humor. After the humorcollection part 6 of the humor collection member 3 is accommodated againin the sheath 2, the sheath 2 and the humor collection member 3 areremoved from the desired portion of the human body.

[0057] Because after the humor collection member 3 collects the humor,it can be removed from the human body, with the sheath 2 accommodatingthe humor collection member 3, it is possible to prevent the humor frombeing contaminated with humors other than the humor to be collected.

[0058] After the humor collection member 3 is removed from the sheath 2,the humor collection part 6 is cut with scissors to prepare one or aplurality of cut pieces of the humor collection part 6. One or aplurality of the cut pieces of the humor collection part 6 are put intothe cylindrical member 4 from its rear end, with the humor collectioncontainer 5 mounted at the front end of the cylindrical member 4. Then,the cylindrical member 4 is inserted into the container 7 forcentrifugal operation, with the humor collection container 5 mounted onthe cylindrical member 4. Then, the container 7 for centrifugaloperation is put into a centrifugal machine to centrifuge the humor.Thereby, the humor absorbed by the cut piece of the humor collectionpart 6 moves to the humor collection container 5 and is collected. Thecylindrical member 4 on which the humor collection container 5 has beenmounted is taken out from the container 7 for centrifugal operation.Then, the humor collection container 5 is removed from the cylindricalmember 4. As the final step of the humor collection operation, the openportion of the humor collection container 5 is sealed with the cap 8.

[0059] The process of collecting the humor of the uterine cavity withthe tool and the appliance of the present invention will be describedbelow.

[0060] After a vaginal speculum is inserted into the vagina and thevagina is sterilized, a disinfectant is washed away from the vaginasufficiently with a physiologic saline. After the physiologic saline iseliminated completely with gauze, the sheath 2 is inserted into aposition a little inward from the internal orifice through the uterinecervical canal, with the sheath 2 accommodating the humor collectionpart 6 of the humor collection member 3. When the sheath 2 passes theinternal orifice of the uterus, the insertion of the sheath 2 isstopped. Then, only the humor collection member 3 is inserted into theuterine cavity by about 10 cm to put the entire humor collection part 6of the humor collection member 3 into the uterine cavity. The humorcollection member 3 is left stationary for one minute so that the humorcollection part 6 absorbs the humor of the uterine cavity. After thehumor collection member 3 is completely returned into the sheath 2, thetool is removed from the uterine cervical canal. After the humorcollection member 3 is pressed out from the sheath 2, the front end ofthe humor collection member 3 is cut off with scissors. While the humorcollection part 6 is being inserted into the cylindrical member 4, withthe humor collection container 5 mounted at its front end, the humorcollection part 6 is appropriately cut. Then, the cut piece isaccommodated in the cylindrical member 4. To prevent vaporization of thehumor, the rear end of the cylindrical member 4 is sealed with anadhesive tape or a cap. The cylindrical member 4 is inserted into thecontainer 7 for centrifugal operation to centrifuge the humor by thecentrifugal machine, with the centrifugal machine accommodating thecontainer 7 for centrifugal operation. Normally, the centrifugal machineis driven at 3500 rpm for 15 minutes. Owing to the centrifugation, ablood cell component deposits in the lower layer of the humor collectioncontainer 5, and a liquid component of the uterine cavity is present inthe upper layer thereof. The liquid component of the uterine cavitypresent in the upper layer thereof is aspirated with a micro-pipette andput in another humor collection container to refrigerate it or preserveit in a frozen state until it is measured. If necessary, the openportion of the humor collection container 5 is sealed with a cap. If theserum separation agent is accommodated in the humor collection container5, it is possible to prevent the liquid component of the uterine cavitypresent in the upper layer of the humor collection container 5 frombeing contaminated with a hemolytic blood cell component after the humoris centrifuged. Therefore, the examination can be accomplished securely.

[0061] A slight amount of a humor of the oviduct and humors of otherlumens are collected in a method similar to the above-described methodof collecting the liquid component of the uterine cavity, except that alaparoscope and a different technique are used to reach the tool and theappliance to each lumen.

[0062] The tool of the present invention includes the sheath and thehumor collection member which is slidably inserted into the sheath. Thehumor collection member has the humor collection part capable ofprojecting from a front end of the sheath. The humor collection part canbe cut and has a permeation prevention portion which prevents the humorabsorbed by the humor collection part from permeating into the entiretyof the humor collection part.

[0063] The tool of the present invention includes the sheath and thehumor collection member slidably inserted into the sheath. The humorcollection member has the humor collection part capable of projectingfrom the front end of the sheath. The humor collection part can be cutand has a plurality of separable portions.

[0064] In this construction, even though the amount of the collectedhumor is small, the permeation of the humor into the entire humorcollection part is prevented. Thus, it is possible to take out the humorfrom the humor collection member by a centrifugal operation to beperformed afterward. Further, because the humor collection part can becut, it is easy to prepare a cut piece, of the humor collection part,required in performing the centrifugal operation.

[0065] The appliance of the present invention has a sheath; a humorcollection member being slidably inserted into the sheath and having ahumor collection part which is formed at a front end thereof and can becut; a cylindrical member accommodating a cut piece of the humorcollection part which has collected a humor; and a humor collectioncontainer installed on the cylindrical member and collecting the humordischarged from the cut piece of the humor collection part by acentrifugal operation.

[0066] Accordingly, it is easy to take out the humor collected by thehumor collection part from the humor collection member by performing thecentrifugal operation. Further, because the humor collection part can becut, it is easy to prepare the cut piece, of the humor collection part,required in performing the centrifugal operation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool for collecting a slight amount of a humorcomprising: a sheath; and a humor collection member slidably insertedinto said sheath, wherein said humor collection member has a humorcollection part capable of projecting from a front end of said sheath,and said humor collection part can be cut and has a permeationprevention portion which prevents a humor absorbed by said humorcollection part from permeating into an entirety of said humorcollection part.
 2. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said humorcollection member includes a core and a liquid-absorbing portion mountedon an outer surface of a front portion of said core.
 3. A tool accordingto claim 1, wherein a front end of said humor collection part is formedof said core and a front-end surface of said core is closed and rounded.4. A tool according to claim 1, wherein a front portion of said sheathis curved.
 5. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said humor collectionmember includes a core having a front end portion having flexibility andcut easily and a liquid-absorbing portion covering a part of or all ofthe front end portion of the core and bound at a plurality of portionswith thread, and said humor collection part is formed by the front endportion of the core and the liquid-absorbing portion.
 6. A toolaccording to claim 1, wherein said humor collection part has 2-10separated humor collection portions.
 7. A tool according to claim 2,wherein said liquid-absorbing portion is formed by a belt-shapedliquid-absorbing material wound spirally on the core.
 8. A toolaccording to claim 2, wherein said core has a bead having a smallerdiameter than an inner diameter of said sheath and fixed to the fronttip end of said core.
 9. A tool for collecting a slight amount of ahumor comprising: a sheath; and a humor collection member slidablyinserted into said sheath, wherein said humor collection member has ahumor collection part capable of projecting from a front end of saidsheath; and said humor collection part can be cut and has a plurality ofseparated humor collection portions.
 10. A tool according to claim 9,wherein said humor collection member includes a core having a pluralityof annular partitioning portions and liquid-absorbing portions disposedbetween adjacent annular partitioning portions.
 11. An appliance forcollecting a slight amount of a humor comprising: a sheath; a humorcollection member being slidably inserted into said sheath and having ahumor collection part which is formed at a front portion thereof and canbe cut and projected from a front end of said sheath; a cylindricalmember accommodating a cut piece of said humor collection part which hascollected a humor; and a humor collection container installed on saidcylindrical member and collecting said humor discharged from said cutpiece of said humor collection part by a centrifugal operation.
 12. Anappliance according to claim 11, wherein said appliance has a containerfor centrifugal operation accommodating said cylindrical member, withsaid humor collection container mounted on said cylindrical member. 13.An appliance according to claim 11, wherein said cylindrical member orsaid humor collection container has a movement prevention portion forpreventing movement of said cut piece of said humor collection part to afront end of said humor collection container.
 14. An appliance accordingto claim 11, wherein said cylindrical member or said humor collectioncontainer has a humor flowing portion having a smaller diameter than anouter diameter of said cut piece of said humor collection part.
 15. Anappliance according to claim 11, wherein said humor collection part hasa permeation prevention portion preventing an absorbed humor frompermeating into an entirety of said humor collection part.
 16. Anappliance according to claim 11, wherein said humor collection part hasa plurality of separated humor collection portions.
 17. An applianceaccording to claim 11, wherein said humor collection member includes acore and a liquid-absorbing portion mounted on an outer surface of afront portion of said core.
 18. An appliance according to claim 11,wherein a front end of said humor collection part is formed of said coreand a front-end surface of said core is closed and rounded.
 19. Anappliance according to claim 11, wherein a front portion of said sheathis curved.
 20. An appliance according to claim 11, wherein said humorcollection member includes a core having a front end portion havingflexibility and cut easily and a liquid-absorbing portion covering apart of or all of the front end portion of the core and bound at aplurality of portions with thread, and said humor collection part isformed by the front end portion of the core and the liquid-absorbingportion.